PETALING JAYA: The spread of titles among the top 10 men’s singles players so far this year has thrown the race for the world title wide open.
Malaysia’s singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen says it is difficult to pinpoint a pre-tournament favourite for this year’s World Championships as no player has dominated the scene.
In fact, most of the players in the current top 10 have won only one Open title, except for France’s world No. 5 Christo Popov and Alex Lanier.
Popov triumphed at the Japan Open and German Open, while Lanier captured the Orleans Masters and Singapore Open titles.
The other winners so far this year are world No. 1 Shi Yuqi of China (Asian Championships), Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand (Malaysian Open), Anders Antonsen of Denmark (Thailand Open), Chou Tien-chen of Taiwan (China Open), Victor Lai of Canada (Indonesian Open), Lin Chun-yi of Taiwan (All-England) and Li Shifeng of China (Malaysian Masters).
Said Jonassen: “I consider this year’s championships very open. Throughout the year, no men’s singles player has managed to be consistent.
“And I believe that the pool of players with both a chance and belief has grown. There are many top contenders capable of winning World Tour 750 events and above.”
Malaysia will be represented by Leong Jun Hao and Justin Hoh, who have yet to win a major title, but Jonassen is happy with their preparation.
“From a training standpoint, they are well prepared,” said Jonassen.
“The overall eight weeks of preparation has gone well. Considering their progress, the level of performance seen has been positive.
“However, whether they have the ability to showcase it and bring out their best game next week is the biggest challenge and question. This process demands inner strength and belief.”
As for Malaysia’s two women’s representatives at the world meet – K. Letshanaa and Wong Ling Ching – the Dane said it was all about self-belief.
“Both have very tough draws, but our ambition still needs to be: yes, we can create the upset needed,” he said.
Letshanaa may meet China’s third seed Wang Zhiyi in the second round, while Ling Ching could face second seed Akane Yamaguchi of Japan if both Malaysians win their opening matches.
“For any major event, the goal is to perform at a new personal high. We can’t ask for more. If that then means a strong win, only time will tell,” added Jonassen.
